Finalists for 2011 PUMA.Creative Impact Award Announced at Durban International Film Festival

25.07.2011 – 20:02

Durban, South Africa (ots/PRNewswire) - Today PUMA.Creative and Channel 4 BRITDOC Foundation announced the five finalists for the first annual PUMA.Creative Impact Award. The EUR50,000 award honours the documentary film that has made the most significant impact. The films cover environmental issues, social justice or global conflict.

The documentaries will be judged by an elite jury that includes: Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, Morgan Spurlock (Academy Award-nominated Director of "Super Size Me"), Orlando Bagwell (Director of the JustFilms initiative at the Ford Foundation), Emmanuel Jal (musician/activist), and Thandie Newton (BAFTA award-winning actress).

Morgan Spurlock said, "Finally an award that acknowledges the unique role documentary plays in society."

"Film is a unique and compelling medium for exploring who we are; a tool for reflection as well as a catalyst for affecting social change," said Mark Coetzee, Program Director PUMAVision and Chief Curator, PUMA.Creative.

Beadie Finzi, founding director of the Channel 4 BRITDOC Foundation added, "The five documentaries - all acclaimed works of filmmaking - reflect urgent issues of today, and have been used by the filmmakers to create change on corporate, political and social levels.

The winning film will be announced at the PUMA.Creative and Channel 4 BRITDOC Foundation Gala in London on October 11, 2011.